CF Montréal: Flashes of Brilliance; Years of Instability | OneFootball

CF Montréal, formerly known as the Montreal Impact, entered Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012. As with any expansion club, the early years were about laying the foundation — building a winning culture from top to bottom. But more than a decade later, the story of CF Montréal remains one of flashes of brilliance and the bottom of the barrel.

While success hasn’t been entirely elusive — especially with iconic moments like Didier Drogba leading the charge to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2016 — inconsistency has been the defining trait of the club’s MLS journey. In 13 seasons, Montréal has missed the playoffs 7 times, an underwhelming stat for a franchise that has shown it can contend when things click.

Managerial Turmoil

Perhaps the clearest reason for this inconsistency lies at the top: managerial turnover. Since joining MLS, CF Montréal has cycled through 10 different head coaches, with some lasting only a single season. This constant upheaval has made it nearly impossible to establish a long-term philosophy or playing identity.

Here’s a look at Montréal’s managerial rollercoaster:

As of May 2025, assistant coach Marco Donadel is serving as interim head coach — continuing the trend of short-term solutions.

A Glimpse of Greatness: The 2022 Season

Despite the turbulence, CF Montréal enjoyed its best season in club history in 2022 under Wilfried Nancy. That year, the club finished second in the Eastern Conference and shattered several franchise records:

It was a season that proved Montréal could compete with the league’s elite — if only the structure behind the scenes could match the talent on the pitch.

Recent Struggles and Relocation Rumors

Fast forward to 2024–25, and the team is again at the bottom of the standings, searching for consistency and direction. Their only highlight thus far has been a Canadian Championship win over rivals Toronto FC — a silver lining in an otherwise bleak campaign.

To make matters worse, rumours of potential relocation surfaced in the offseason, sparked by concerns over the proposed MLS shift to a European-style calendar and the club’s aging, winter-exposed stadium infrastructure. While these rumours were denied, they added to a growing sense of unease around the club.

The Path Forward

If there’s one constant through all the chaos, it’s owner Joey Saputo. While his passion and investment in the club are unquestioned, the repeated coaching changes and structural uncertainty suggest a need for recalibration. Saputo himself admitted in early 2025 that stepping away from the club’s day-to-day affairs in recent years was a mistake. His recent reengagement, along with the appointments of his sons Luca and Simone to key roles, suggests a renewed effort to build a lasting foundation.

CF Montréal remains a club full of potential — backed by a loyal fanbase, rich local talent, and moments of genuine quality. But until stability is prioritized and a long-term vision is firmly established, the club risks continuing its cycle of promise followed by letdown.

If Montréal is to reach the heights its fans dream of, the time for short-term fixes must end. The future demands structure, stability, and belief in a long-term project.